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Things to do in Aveiro

Our most recommended things to do in Aveiro

Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Tour

1. Aveiro: Traditional Moliceiro Boat Tour

Cruise through the city of Aveiro on a boat ride onboard a traditional Moliceiro boat. Start along the Central Canal of the lagoon, the Ria de Aveiro. Traverse the center of the city, from the garden of Rossio to the old building of the Capitania of the Port of Aveiro. Follow another canal that formerly served as a waterway to the Antonio Maria Campos brick factory, where the Aveiro Cultural and Congress Center was established along with other public services. Then, cruise down Canal das Pirâmides (the pyramids canal), which was built at the beginning of the 19th century and stretches from the old fish market to the central canal. During the summer, enjoy a beautiful landscape made up of hundreds of small white pyramids of salt that represent one of the most characteristic features of this region.

Aveiro: Moliceiro Boat Trip

2. Aveiro: Moliceiro Boat Trip

Embark on an adventure and take a trip to Aveiro, which is never complete without a Moliceiro boat trip. The Moliceiro is a traditional boat that is part of the Aveiro culture, similar to a Venetian gondola. Starting from the dock of Largo do Jardim do Rossio, pass through some of the most iconic sights of the city, such as the Art Nouveau, the Aveiro salt pan, the traditional neighborhood of Beira-Mar, the Jerónimo P. Campos ceramics factory, and the Fish Market. Marvel at the breathtaking city from its channels together with a guide. Expand your knowledge about the cities history and learn some secrets of Aveiro.

From Porto: Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge

3. From Porto: Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge

Cross the second Worlds Longest Suspension Footbridge - the Arouca 516 - and walk the Paiva Walkways, considered one of the most beautiful trails in the world (seven kilometers). Restore your energy with a delicious traditional lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon at Aveiro, the so-called “Portuguese Venice” and traverse the canals on a boat trip. Wander through the old quarter to see the main Art Nouveau buildings, the fish market, and taste one of the city's delicacies, soft eggs. Last but not the least, see the famous haystacks of Costa Nova. Discover the magnificent fishing village with its wooden houses in bright striped colors.

Aveiro: Boat Cruise & City Highlights Walking Tour

4. Aveiro: Boat Cruise & City Highlights Walking Tour

Experience the beauty of Aveiro on a boat cruise in an authentic Moliceiro craft. Stroll through the Beira Mar district on a walking tour with a local guide and take in the lively vibe at the Aveiro Fish Market. Be welcomed by your local guide at the Freedom Obelisk in the old town of Aveiro. Follow your guide to an iconic Moliceiro boat. Embark on a cruise aboard a colorful ship through the city's waterways. Glide on an elegant boat and snap pictures of landmarks like the City Council building, a 15th century mill, and the romantic Carcavelos Bridge. Watch the old parts of the city melt into the new as you see the shopping center and a ceramic factory that was converted into a convention center. Disembark and continue on your walking tour through the narrow streets of the Beira Mar neighborhood that was traditionally inhabited by fisherman and salt workers. Admire the vibrantly colored buildings along the canal. Make your way to the bustling Fish Market, the Centennial building, and pass by richly adorned Art Nouveau buildings before ending your tour.

Aveiro: Half-Day Tour from Porto with Cruise

5. Aveiro: Half-Day Tour from Porto with Cruise

Experience the beauty of Aveiro’s channels on a tour aboard a colorful Portuguese gondola on this half-day tour from Porto. Ride along naturally-formed channels that connect to the river and to the sea.  Meet at a centrally-located spot in Porto and board a comfortable van for your transfer to Aveiro. Absorb the culture of this city that was once a fishing village, where residents made their living from the river, the sea, and salt production. Begins at the fish market square, where you’ll have great views of the city center. Head out on an hour-long cruise on a vibrantly-painted, wooden moliceiro boat. Glide thorugh the channels on this traditional, Portuguese vessel.  After the cruise your guide will show you the Costa Nova neighborhood that borders the sea. Admire some of the old traditional houses that are small in size, and painted in bright colors with vertical stripes. Return to Porto by van at the end of your tour. 

From Porto: Aveiro & Coimbra Small Group Tour + River Cruise

6. From Porto: Aveiro & Coimbra Small Group Tour + River Cruise

Cruise the canals of aboard a colorful moliceiro boat on this full-day trip to Aveiro from Porto. Take time to discover the city's highlights like the Fish Market. Discover the city of Coimbra on a guided walking tour of the medieval old town.  Start with pickup from your central-located hotel in Porto. Relax in an airconditioned vehicle on the way to to Aveiro in the central region of Portugal. Explore the city's Art Nouveau architecture and historical center. Make a visit to the bustling Fish Market. Board a traditional, wooden moliceiro boat and experience the city from the water. Make your way to the Aveiro Salt Ponds passing by New Coast, typical striped houses, the Barra lighthouse, and the São Jacinto dunes. Look for stork nests along the way find. Travel to the waterfront city of Coimbra, the country's old capital. It houses a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra. Go for a guided walking tour through the historic center of the city.  Stop at important landmarks such as the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral. If you select the option with monuments admission, visit the interiors of Joanina Library and the Royal Palace. At the end of the tour, the guide will drop you off at your hotel in Porto.

From Porto: Aveiro Half-Day Tour with 1-Hour Cruise

7. From Porto: Aveiro Half-Day Tour with 1-Hour Cruise

Depart Porto and journey south to the beautiful coastal city of Aveiro on the Ria de Aveiro lagoon. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the historical city center to admire the bold Art Nouveau residences and charming foot bridges across the canals. Take stunning pictures of the Baroque-style cathedrals and other amazing architecture. Learn more about the history of the city and how it grew from a small fishing village to the 2nd most populous city in the Centro Region of Portugal. Hear how salt production in the salt marshes played an important role in the city's economy, from the days of the Romans. Then, climb aboard one of the traditional moliceiro boats used to collect sea grass in the lagoon. Cruise along the canals of the "Venice of Portugal" to admire the colorful fishermen's houses of Costa Nova beach and get amazing views of the landscape.

Porto: Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stops in 3 Cities

8. Porto: Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stops in 3 Cities

Tick off three of the most important cities on the Portuguese coast in just one day with this convenient private transfer service. Travel from Porto to Lisbon and enjoy optional stops in Aveiro, Coimbra, Fátima, Nazaré, or Óbidos. After getting picked up from your hotel in Porto, travel towards the city of Aveiro. Enjoy some free time to explore the canals, Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted Moliceiros boats of the city. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Portugal. Here, immerse yourself in the city's modern area, the university, and its ancient past. Continue towards either Nazaré or Fátima for lunch and a walk around the city. In Nazaré, soak up the views of the Portuguese coast and see for yourself why the city is a surfer's paradise. Or, explore the many religious sites in Fátima. Finally, pay a visit to the medieval town of Óbidos. Here, enjoy some free time to explore the town's famously quirky bookstores, medieval streets, and liquor bars at your own pace. Get dropped off at your hotel in Lisbon after a full day's sightseeing.

From Lisbon: Private Transfer to Porto with City Stops

9. From Lisbon: Private Transfer to Porto with City Stops

Tick off three of the most important cities on the Portuguese coast in just one day with this convenient private transfer service. Travel from Lisbon to Porto and enjoy optional stops in Aveiro, Coimbra or Fátima, Nazaré, or Óbidos. After getting picked up from your hotel in Lisbon, travel towards the city of Óbidos. Here, enjoy some free time to explore the town's famously quirky bookstores, medieval streets, and liquor bars at your own pace. Continue towards either Nazaré or Fátima for lunch and a walk around the city. In Nazaré, soak up the views of the Portuguese coast and see for yourself why the city is a surfer's paradise. Or, explore the many religious sites in Fátima. Finally, pay a visit to the medieval town of Aveiro. Enjoy some free time to explore the canals, Nouveau architecture, and colorfully painted Moliceiros boats of the city. Alternatively, you may wish to stop in Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Portugal. Here, immerse yourself in the city's modern area, the university, and its ancient past.. Get dropped off at your hotel in Porto after a full day's sightseeing.

Aveiro: Stories, Canals, and Azulejos Guided Walking Tour

10. Aveiro: Stories, Canals, and Azulejos Guided Walking Tour

Start at the Praça da Republica with the Town Hall and the Misericórdia church. We walk along Rua de Coimbra and talk about the black and white calçada à portuguesa. In the Marques de Pombal square we enter the Carmelite Convent Church - a small but impressive baroque jewel. Walking further we see the tile panels of Casa de Santa Zita and Sapataria Leão. We pass next to the Dominican Convent of Jesus where we evoke the history of the city's patron saint: Princess Santa Joana. After passing the cathedral we will go on to the Canal da Fonte Nova, where the building of one of the many ceramics factories that once existed there is still standing. Along the canals we will explain their genesis and utility, as well as those of the traditional boats of the Ria de Aveiro. We will pass through interesting places in the Beira Mar neighbourhood, always with the tiles filling our eyes. We will recognise the marks of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, of the iron architecture from the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. We won't forget the two façades of the Museum of Art Nouveau. On the way to the saltpans we will talk about the power of Aveiro from the 11th to the 15th century, its crossing of the desert in the 17th and 18th centuries and its revival in the 19th century. On the way back we will make some references to the local gastronomy, such as eel stew and traditional sweets, namely the "ovos moles" of Aveiro. We will finish at the Church of São Gonçalinho referring to the traditional January festival, in which another traditional sweet - hard and heavy - is literally thrown over the heads of the faithful, in a ritual full of joy and tradition.

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What people are saying about Aveiro

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 1,453 reviews

We thoroughly enjoyed our half day tour to Aviero, which was made all the better by our engaging guide, Maria. We did a stop at the Striped houses in Costa Nova which really have to seen to be appreciated, and then onto Aviero for the cruise and walking tour. Absolutely Super trip and Guide. We would highly recommend this one.

They were an excellent team, fully cooperative and extremely professional. Despite my goof up with the ticket timing, they were flexible and understanding. The tour guides were also quite well informed and gave a lot of overall recommendations on what to do in Aveiro. Definitely worth going for!

Antonio was a remarkable host giving personal and local touches to the visit. He's the type of host that loves questions and helped uncover parts of the visit that could otherwise go unnoticed. - that really set the tour apart. We had a great time and thank you

This was the highlight of my trip to Porto! Ricardo was excellent in guiding the small group of eight. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy walking or hiking and sightseeing all in one. The food at the restaurant was also a delicious treat.

We had a great tour with Antonio who has a very thorough knowledge of all destinations within the tour. He was very generous with his time and ensured that we were not rushed and had the best experience possible. Highly recommend this tour.